Ex-league star Dureau dead at 39 after long cancer battle

Former NRL halfback Scott Dureau dead at 39 after long battle with cancerPosted Tue 21 Jul 2026 at 6:49amTue 21 Jul 2026 at 6:49amScott Dureau, here with the Catalans Dragons, is remembered for his playing achievements and his "humility and kindness". (Getty Images: Anna Gowthorpe)In short:Former rugby league star Scott Dureau has died at 39 after a long battle with cancer.Dureau's former side, the Catalans Dragons, confirmed his death last night.Dureau, who played for both the Dragons and the Newcastle Knights, is survived by his wife and two children.Former Newcastle NRL halfback Scott Dureau, who became a Super League star with the Catalans Dragons, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 39.The Dragons confirmed Dureau's death last night, amid reports he had died of brain cancer."A former iconic player of the club, he had been courageously battling the illness for several years," the Dragons' statement said."Beyond the exceptional player that he was, Scott was a man cherished by all those who had the privilege of knowing him."His talent and numerous achievements on the field, but above all his humility and kindness, will forever be etched in our memories."In these painful moments, president Bernard Guasch and the entire club extend their most sincere condolences to his wife Libby, his two daughters Imogen and Everly, his family, and all his loved ones."Dureau played 42 games over four seasons with Newcastle before teaming with French club the Catalans Dragons for four years, chalking up 97 appearances.He was named in the British Super League's "Dream Team" in 2011 and 2012 and won the Albert Goldthorpe Medal, the competition's equivalent of the NRL's Dally M medal, in the second of those seasons.After his retirement in 2015, Dureau took up a coaching role with the Knights.He had been battling cancer for more than decade, having retired from playing after a tumour was removed from behind an eye.AAP